HiveMeadow
Betterbee Lemongrass Oil Swarm Lure
Full specification5 entries
Volume
2 fl oz (59 mL)
Active Ingredient
100% Pure Lemongrass Oil
Application Method
Dropper bottle
Shelf Life
Up to 2 years unopened
Recommended Reapplication
Every 7-14 days during active use
Attractants · ranked 61 of 99

Betterbee Lemongrass Oil Swarm Lure

Betterbee · ★★★★☆ 4.4 / 5

Betterbee's Lemongrass Oil Swarm Lure is a staple for beekeepers looking to bait swarm traps or empty hives during spring buildup.

  • Attracts scout bees naturally
  • Simple dropper application
  • Budget-friendly swarm bait
Check price at Amazon

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing and does not affect the score above.

  • Price and stock are set by the retailer
  • Scored from the specification and owner reports
  • No paid placement anywhere on this site
Who it fits
  • Highly effective at drawing in scout bees during swarm season
  • Easy to apply with just a few drops on trap interior
  • Affordable compared to synthetic pheromone lures
  • !Scent fades quickly and requires reapplication every 1-2 weeks
  • !Not effective outside of natural swarm season timing
Stack it against
The verdict

Betterbee's Lemongrass Oil Swarm Lure is a staple for beekeepers looking to bait swarm traps or empty hives during spring buildup. It reliably mimics the Nasonov pheromone scout bees use to identify good nesting sites, and its low cost makes it an easy addition to any trap-out or swarm-catching setup. Success still depends on timing, trap placement, and local swarm activity, but as an attractant it performs its job well season after season.

Bench scorecard

Derived from this product's specification, features and owner reports.

Build 86
Handling 89
Value 89
Lasts 82

Key features

  • Concentrated pure lemongrass oil formula
  • Mimics honey bee Nasonov gland pheromone
  • Small dropper bottle for precise application
  • Used to attract scout bees to swarm traps or bait hives
  • Long shelf life when stored in cool, dark conditions

Living with it

What works

  • Highly effective at drawing in scout bees during swarm season
  • Easy to apply with just a few drops on trap interior
  • Affordable compared to synthetic pheromone lures
  • Natural product with pleasant citrus scent
  • Small bottle lasts multiple seasons with proper storage

What to watch

  • Scent fades quickly and requires reapplication every 1-2 weeks
  • Not effective outside of natural swarm season timing
  • Strong smell can be overpowering if overapplied
  • Bottle dropper can clog or drip inconsistently
  • Results vary depending on local bee population density

The full review

Betterbee Lemongrass Oil Swarm Lure is a purpose-made attractant designed to help beekeepers capture swarms and entice scouting bees into swarm traps or empty hives. Formulated with pure lemongrass oil, it mimics the Nasonov pheromone that honey bees naturally produce to signal a favorable location to their swarm-mates, making unoccupied equipment far more appealing to bees searching for a new home. This simple but effective tool taps into the natural biology of honey bees, giving beekeepers a practical edge when trying to recover swarms from their own hives or attract wild, feral swarms during the spring buildup and swarm season.

Each bottle of this lemongrass oil lure is concentrated and long-lasting, requiring only a few drops applied to a cotton ball, sponge, or directly onto the interior of a swarm trap or bait hive to create an inviting scent trail. Beekeepers appreciate the ease of use: no complex mixing or special equipment is needed, just a small application that releases a steady, alluring aroma over several days. Because lemongrass oil closely resembles the pheromone scouts release when they’ve found a promising cavity, it encourages bees to investigate and ultimately move in, increasing the success rate of swarm traps placed in yards, tree lines, or apiaries.

Ideal for both hobbyist and commercial beekeepers, Betterbee’s lemongrass oil swarm lure is a cost-effective way to expand a colony count without purchasing packages or nucs, while also providing a valuable service by capturing swarms that might otherwise be lost or become a nuisance in unwanted locations. It pairs well with swarm traps, bait hives, or even established equipment being reactivated after overwintering, and its natural, non-toxic formulation makes it safe to handle and simple to reapply as needed throughout the season. For beekeepers looking to responsibly grow their apiary or assist in local swarm control efforts, this lure offers a reliable, science-backed method rooted in the natural signaling behavior of honey bees.

Check price at Amazon

Compare tray